The start of the year is always a great time to kick old habits and start fresh, especially considering heavy foods, boozing and late nights over the holidays may have left you feeling bloated, unproductive and full of breakouts recent weeks.
Natural juice mixes are a great way to help you bounce back, cleanse from the inside out and keep your skin healthy. Or if you just feel like you need a health kick, they’re a super efficient way to incorporate more vitamins and nutrients into your diet, daily.
Here are 5 easy juice combinations that will help you flush out toxins, give you tons of energy and keep your skin healthy. All you need is a blender or juicer and some fresh fruit and veggies!
Citrus fruits are a great source of vitamin C—an essential vitamin which can fight the negative impacts of free radicals (toxic drink consumption, smoke, pollution). Citrus fruits also contain anti-inflammatory properties, which can prevent acne, diminish redness and even out your skin tone. If the combination of orange, lemon and grapefruit is slightly too sour, add a teaspoon of Manuka honey (which has antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties) for sweetness.
Beetroot is an antioxidant powerhouse. It’s rich in Vitamin C, which helps even out your skin tone and fight inflammation, and it’s a unique source of Betalains – a type of Phytonutrient – that helps prevent cell damage throughout your body. It’s also great for cleansing your liver and flushing out toxins. Ginger is a great immunity booster and is packed with detoxifying properties that help improve digestion, reduce inflammation, fight bacteria, encourage blood circulation and even reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation. Add a handful of fresh ripe strawberries for flavour and sweetness.
Berries (i.e. raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, acai berries) are super high in fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. They’re also packed with Polyphenols, a compound which can protect your skin from early signs of ageing (wrinkles, dullness and loss of elasticity), and keep your skin youthful and glowing. Yoghurt, on the other hand, is a good source of protein and contains probiotics—a friendly bacteria that helps with digestion and keeps your gut healthy. Go for a low-fat, all-natural yoghurt (with no added flavourings) to keep the calories low. Note: Yoghurt and most dairy products can be a trigger for acne, so if you’re acne-prone, skip the yogurt completely and just go for a wide range of berries.
Kale is rich in Vitamins A, K and C, which help boost your immune system, keep your eyes and bones healthy, and keep your skin looking youthful. It also contains omega-3, a healthy fatty acid which is good for brain function and keeps your skin healthy and hydrated. Celery is also packed with vitamins and fibre and is 95% water, which means it’s a great ingredient to keep your skin hydrated. It’s also great at keeping your gut healthy thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. Add some green apple and pineapples to this juice blend for flavour and sweetness!
This is the ultimate antioxidant blend: beets, carrots and ginger can go a long way to decrease inflammation, boost your immune system and protect your body against bacteria and viruses. Red apples, on the other hand, are a great source of fibre and are full of polyphenols, which protects against UV radiation, oxidative stress, and even prevents premature ageing – plus they’ll add tons of flavour to the mix. Fresh blended fruit juices are an easy and delicious way to deliver essential nutrients to your skin and body, with very low effort – plus the fruit and veg combinations are endless! You can adjust the ratios of each fruit to your liking and taste, and you can drink these daily or even multiple times throughout the day.